How to Keep Lice Out of Your Hair

How to Get Rid of Head Lice

The mention of head lice tends to make us scratch imaginary itches and often strikes panic in parents. These tiny insects infest the human scalp, feeding on blood. Kids are most often affected, although anyone is at risk for catching head lice by close contact with someone who has them.

Overview of Head Lice

As distasteful as head lice are, they don't cause serious harm or disease. Head lice are also not a sign of poor hygiene or uncleanliness. In most cases, you can treat head lice using over-the-counter medications, although prescription medications are also available for treating head lice. Some people also utilize natural remedies to eradicate head lice.

Typical symptoms of head lice include itching on the scalp, ears and neck. People experience itching due to an allergic reaction to the saliva of head lice. Itching may not set in for between two and six weeks after infestation, especially for someone who is experiencing an infestation for the first time. Sometimes the movement of lice on the skin makes people want to scratch their scalps. It may be possible to see lice on the scalp or in the hair, although lice are small and they move fast. Nits are lice eggs, and you might see them clinging to hair near the neck or ears.

How Head Lice Transmit

Head lice can't jump or fly; instead, they crawl. Most times people will catch head lice by close contact with someone who has them. Lice often pass among family members or from child to child at school or day care. It's common to catch lice by sharing brushes or combs, hats, hair accessories, pillows, towels and headphones. Sometimes lice will pass from hat to hat when these items are hung close together on hooks.

Head Lice Treatment — Best Options

It's best to see a doctor or the school nurse for a diagnosis if you suspect head lice because it's easy to confuse symptoms when a lice infestation isn't occurring. With the confirmation of head lice, most parents want to know how to kill head lice eggs fast. Doctors usually recommend medicated lice treatments that might be shampoo or lotion. These products will indicate that they're appropriate for use with children depending on their age, so read instructions carefully. The directions will cover the amount of product to use and the frequency, so follow directions for best results. Misuse of treatment products may not eradicate the lice. Physicians may also recommend using a fine-tooth comb to remove nits from hair. Treatments may need to be repeated every seven to 10 days to eliminate new hatchlings.

What About Body Lice?

Body lice are larger than head lice, but they spread similarly. Body lice usually infect people with poor hygiene and those who cannot wash their bodies or clothing regularly. Body lice lead to intense itching, red bumps, rashes and darkened skin over time. Typical treatment of body lice involves improving personal and environmental hygiene. A physician may prescribe medication, but this may not be necessary. Usually washing clothing and linens will be sufficient to eliminate the lice.

Head Lice Treatment for Kids

Very young children under two months of age can't use medicated lice treatments. In this case, you'll need to pick the nits out manually. Dampen your child's hair and add a small amount of conditioner to the hair. Then, comb it with a fine-tooth comb to remove nits. Dampening and conditioning the hair helps with removal because the water slows the lice down, and the conditioner makes it easier to comb the hair.

The wet-comb method is also effective for removing head lice in older children if you prefer not to use chemical treatments. Some people also like to try other household products such as olive oil or mayonnaise. Repeat these treatments every week until you don't see any evidence of nits or lice.

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